Switch-rail guard



July 8 1924. F 1,500,176

Inventor Bmeam Atzorneg 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F. C. ANDERSON SWITCH RAIL GUARD Filed Aug. 4, 1923 Lm t d w@ n@ M July 8 1924.

Patented July 8, 1924.

UNITED STATES i 1,5%,1116 PATENT OFFICE., l,

FRANK C. ANDERSON, F CINCINNATI, OHIO.

SWITCH-RAIL GUARD.

Application iled August 4, `'19.23. Serial No.f655,715. i

object is` to avoid derailments caused by ob-V jects wedged between diverging rails of switch when dragged by passing trains; the present invention being an improvementv on that disclosed and claimed in my Patent No. 1,414,767, issued May 2, 1922, and the especial object being to simplify the construction, installation and operation of such a vdevice. Other objects will appear in the course of the ensuing description. ,j f I attain these objects by the device illustrated, for example, in the accompanying drawings, in whiche 1 Figure 1 is a general perspective view of a switch with, my -invention applied thereto; Fig. 2 is an enlarged'side elevation of part of the stock-rail of the switch, and the guard mounted thereon; g

Fig. 3 is a partial plan view of the same; `Fig. 4A is a vertical cross-section of the same, on the plane of the line A4 4 of Fig. 2, intermediate parts of the operating shaft being omitted, butthe outer end part thereof, with the outer crank thereon, being shown; and

Fig. 5 is a side elevation, looking from the track, of the two-piece convertible bellcrank. Y

The invention is illustrated as applied to a point-rail switch (Fig. '1) with right-hand turn-out, in which the left main-line rail is continuous, with the turn-out 'rail away therefrom when the switch isI` closed for mainline use as shown, and having the right-hand turn-out rail 1 continuous, with the'ma-in-line point-rail'2 against this rail 1; the two point-rails being joined together by the brace-rods 3 and 4, with the rod 3, nearest the rail points, extending out and being connected to the switch-stand` 5 by the connecting-rod 6, between the two headblocksv 7 which are extended out past the other cross-ties 8 to support the stand 5. The stock-rails being spiked to the ties, the point-rails slide toand` from them on plates 9,'xed tothe ties 7 and'8 andextending under both stock-rail and point-rail',v as usual. Y v `On one of the ties, a suitable'distance from the rail point, the two rails at Vthe leftrhave an elongated plate 10 corresponding tothe other plates 9, extending out to the end of the tie 8 and having a bracket. 11 riveted to it and extending up over the outer. member ofthe base of the stock rail i1 with a head 12 against the outer side of the web of this i rail; and having another Vbracket 13 riveted to it next to its outer end, with aV head 14 alined with the head 12 of the bracket 11. 'Ihe operating shaft 15 isjournaled in these heads 12 and 14 and extends in through yan opening Vin the web of the rail` I ,and has pinned and keyed toit in between the l,rails 1 and 2, the crank 16; while on its outer end, out past the bearing 14, it has secured on it by means of a screw-key, the crank 17. Y

On the'next tie 8, beyond the Vabove described mechanism from the rail points, the Aplate 9 corresponding to the plates 9 of the other ties has riveted to it a bracket 18 with ahead 19 in against the outer side of the stock-rail 1 similarly to the bracket 11, with .a stud bolt 2O passed through an Lopening in the web of the rail 1, having a collar21 fixed on it against the inner side of this web, and a nut 22 screwed. on itagainst'the outer Vend of the bracket head 19firmly securing the stud-bolt and the rail and bracket together. lThis stud bolt has on its inner end, spaced `.from the collar 21, the head 23.

The guard element 24A is an .elongated body, preferably of malleable cast iron, tapering to conform approximately with the adjacent sides of the heads of the rails 1 and 2, spaced an easy working distance therefrom. This element24 is made long enough to fill the space between the rails sufficiently, for such a distance that, at its narrower end, the space will be too narrow to 'catch the Smallest object liable to. wedge Vopen the switch if dragged between the rails `land 2.`

YAtits narrower end, this element is' fiat on top, from which it has a slight bend the succeeding part having on top' the ridge'25,

widest and lowest near said bend, and hi est and narrowest at its opposite end. Tns ridge 25 is succeeded by a channel part 26 gradually increasing in depth out to the op- Y posite end of the element, where the bottom of the channel terminates in a curve 27 presenting a convex surface upward and out@ ward from this end of the element, between the sides of the channel `26, which form lips 28 to lie under the heads of the rails 1 and 2 while Vthe part with the ridge may incline up between the heads, with the narrowen'd part having its top about even with the-tops of therails. This is 'the guarding position of the element.

To hold this element 24 in this position, yet allow it to move-'down -out of the way of the car wheel flanges passing along the turnout rail, the element has the ears on its bottom just under the 4bend before nientioned, by which it is pivoted yto the upper end ofthe crank 16; and this element has, under the channel part 26 near its opposite or wide end, an ear 30 having anelongated slot 31 through vwhich is received the stud bolt 20 with the ear between and guidedby the collar 21 and head 23 thereof. This slot is so located and proportioned 'that it has the bolt I20 at its inner lend when the element is raised by the crank 16; but when the crank 16 swings down in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2, :the element is slid on the bolt 2O until the bolt occupies the other end of' the slot. The ridge 25 is about as 'wide as the element at its low end; which ypart of the element will be depressed suiiiciently belowthe rail top. The narrow high end ofthe ridge is far enough from the two rails 1 and'2 to escape the lianges ofthe car wheels; and it is inclined down ztoward the low end of the guard element, to fend the object upward onto its 'top vfrom the lower channel part 26. The 2lips 28,'e'xtending -under the rail heads, prevent the object catching vunder either head by slidingsidewise upon engagement with the curved end 27 'which yfends the object initially onto `the guard element.

The crank 16 is operated automatically by 'theat switch Vmechanism through the medium of the connecting rod 32 having a fork connecting yit to the lower end of the outer crank 17 below "the topsy of the ties; this rod extending slightly upward (Fig. 1) yover theties, and having a fork on Vits'opposite end connecting it 'to one arm 33 of the bellcrank fulcrumed on the uprightlpivot 34 in the bracket^35 fastened on theinner'side of the nearer head-"block 7 by a lug 36 overlying the tie and permitting the bracket to standfp'artly belowand partly aboveithe ktie or head-block with the abov`e=nientionedarm of the crank extending over'toward 'the-rails and swinging 'along the track. The 'lower armY 37 'of 'this bell-crank 1 extends along the track over toward the farther head-block 7, and `swings across the track; khaving the outerend of the connect-ing rod 38 connect-- ed to it by the fork 39. This second connecting rod extends in under the track rails 1 and 2, with a for: r40 on its inner end, by which it 'is connected to the bracket 41 on the brace-rod 3. These arms 33 and 37 of the bell-crank preferably are made detachable, with a clutch connection 42 between their hubs around thepivot 34 (Fig. 5) so that they can be differently relatively positioned in the crank lif they are Vto be used for a left-'hand turn-out'insteadfof the righthand turn-out as here shown, inwhich case the 4crank and other details would beat the opposite side of -the track, requiring a change of 180 in relative positionof the upper and llower arm.` The other partsall are interchangeable vfrom fright to left turnout.

Withtheparts connected as just described, it will be seen that when fthe point rail iis thrownito the le-ftaway from the stock rail, the bell-crank is swung so that the -`rod 32 pushes on the crank 17 `in the direction of the lower arrow inY Fig. 2, 'swingin'gfthe crank 16 down as indicated by the upper arrow, since bothcranks are fixed on the shaft 15. Thus, the end of the element 24 which rhas 'been raised, l.isfpulled-fdown''far enough to avoid contactxof the wheel flanges therewith, which would V1'result in Vbreakage of the guard. Then when the switch yis closed again, pulling the point rail `back to the stock rail, for main :line travel, the rod 32 pulls on the crank 17, swinging the-crank 16'upward and raising theadjacent end lof the element to guarding position again. In my'prior patentbefore mentioned, provision is Vmade ifor raising both ends f of :the guard, and lowering them but bythe provision of function. sufliciently in place of I 'the :raised other end of the guard, fand yet be sufficiently out 'of 'thelway when the guard element is lowered. By raising and lowering one end 1 of the EYgualidonly, Vrthe vi'n'e'chal-nism may be much simplified,3 asle-xempliiiedherein, so that lthe device is less expensive 5to make and install, vas well as less liableftolderangement in service. The brackets 1&1 and 13 on thetie'fp'late 10, by which thefdevice can be supplied to the trackmen ina more fully assembled condition, also contribute rto the above results; as does the Ibracket 13 on the plate9l'to'some degree. n

Variations in structure, proportions, 'operations andfusesfarepossible andi'therefore,

'while 'I 'prefercertain const'ructional details 1 and have disclosed `these rather 'specifica'lly to make clear my Iinvention, as Iis required, 'I do not wish tobe underst'o'odias being'fli'inited 4to Asuch precise showing `and description, but yhav'ingthus fully'y described 7Tiny inmovable rail to hold said element with the top of one end. part substantially in the planey ofthe tops ofsaid rails or to move said element until said top is a substantial distance below said rail tops.

2. Anv elongated tapered guard Velement to occupy the space between diverging rails of a switch, and means to.hold said element with the top or one end part substantially in the plane of the topsof said rails and the other end part a substantial distancebelow said rail tops, or to swing saidv element until said top is a substantial distance below said rail tops and slide .the other. end during the swinging. Y ,Y

3. An elongated -tapered guard element to occupy the spacebetween diverging rails of a switch, and means to movably hold said element Vwith the top oi one end. part substantially in theplane of ythe tops of said rails and the other end part a substantial distance below said rail tops, said element lhaving a ridge along its top between said end parts, with its top substantially in the plane of the rail tops when said element is up, but spaced .away Jfrom one of said rails near the lower end ,of the element, to'escap'e the wheel flanges traveling along the rail. l p

llsAn elongated tapered guard element to occupy the space lbetween diverging rails of a` switch, and means to movably7 hold said element with the top of one end part` substantially in the 4plane of the tops of said rails and the Yother end part a substantial distance below said'rail tops, said element having said other endA part channel shaped, with the sides of the channel under the rail heads.

5. An elongated tapered guard element to occupy the space between diverging rails of a switch, and means to movably hold ,said element with the top of one end part substantially in the plane of the tops of said rails and the other end part a substantial distance below said rail tops, said element having said other end part channel shaped, with the sides of the channel under the rail heads and with the bottom of the channel curved down at the end of the element.

6. An elongated tapered guard element to occupy the space between diverging rails of a switch, and means to movably hold said element with the top of one end part `substantially in the plane of the tops of said rails and the other end part a substantial distance below said rail tops, said element having said other end part channel shaped, with the sides of the channel under the rail `ment, to escape the heads,and having a ,ridgealongf its top zbej tween said end parts, witlnits top substantially in the plane yof the rail-tops when the element is up, but spaced` away from one of said rails near the klower end of the.` element, to escape the wheel flanges traveling along the rail. v

7. An elongated tapered guard element-to occupy' the'spaceV between 4divergi'ng; rails of a switch, and means toniovably ho-ld said element with the top of one end partsubstantially in the plane of the tops of said rails and the other .endpart a substantial distance l below said rail tops, said element having -said other end part channel shaped, with the sides of the channel under the rail heads and withthe bottom of'thechannel curved down at .the end of theelement, and

said element having a ridge along its topbev tween said end parts, with itstop substantially in the planeet the rail tops when the element is up, but spaced'away. Jfrom one of said rails near the lower end of the elewheel flanges traveling along the rail. j

8.- An elongated tapered guard element to occupy the space between4 diverging rails of a switch, and means to `hold said element with the top of one end part substantially in the planeofthe tops of the rails or to swing said element untilsaid top is a snbT stantial distance below said rail tops, the other end ot' the element being a substantial distance below the rail topsy and having an ear on its bottom witha transverse slot, and means projecting from one ofthe rails into said slot, whereby this end of the element may slide during the swinging.

9. A guard element, means `lor mounting Y said element between dii/'erging rails of a switch, and a channel` at one endv of said element with its sides under the rail heads and having its bottom curved down-'at this vend of the element.

10. A guard element, and means yfor mounting said element to move one end thereof up and down between div'ergingl rails of a switch and to hold the other end thereof down a substantial distance below the tops of the rails at all times.

Y1l. A guard element, and means for swingingly mounting one end part of said guard element and slidably mounting the other end thereof between divergingV rails of a switch.

12, An elongated tapered guard element to occupy the space` between diverging rails of a switch, having a ridge along its top, V

wider and lower next to the narrow end of the elementthan it is next to the wide end of the element. Y

13. An elongated tapered guard .element to occupy the space between diverging rails of a switch, having its wide end channel shaped with the sides of the channel pro- ,occupy the space between diverging rails of a switch, having a ridge along its top, wider and lower next to the narrow end of the element than it is next to the wide end of the element, and having this wide end channel shaped with the sides of the channel projecting upward and Voutward from the bottom thereof and this bottom curved down at the end of the element.

16. A guard element to occupy the space between diverging rails of a switch, one of which rails being movable, a swinging arm connected to said element, a shaft connected to said arm for swinging said arm, to eX- tend along the top of one of the cross-ties of the switch, past the end of the tie, a crank fixed on said shaft for swinging along the end of the tie, a rod pivoted to said crank to extendup over another crosstie of the switch, a bell-crank fulcrumed on said other tie with one arm pivoted to saidv rod7 and a second rod pivoted to a second arm of said bell-crank, saidV second arm being offset downward from the first arm for connection to said second rod below the level ofthe tops of the ties, and said second rod being adapted to connect to a part that moves when said rail is moved.

17 A guard element to occupy the space between diverging rails of a switch, one of which rails. being movable, a swinging farm connected to said element, a shaft connected to said arm for swinging said arm, to eX- tend along the top of one of the cross-ties of the switch, past the end of the tie", a crankfkedy on'sa-id shaft for swingingl along the end of thel tie, a rod pivoted to said crank to extend vup over another cross-tie of the switch, a bell-crank fulcrumed on said other tie with one arm pivoted to said rod, and a second rod pivoted yto av secondv arm of said bell-crank for connection to a part that moves when said rail is moved, ,said second arm having a clutch connection with the first arm of the bell-crank, so that said arms may be differently relatively positioned for the purpose described.

18. In combination with a guard element v to be moved up and down alongside a rail of a switch,r and a crank with a shaft through said rail, said crank being connected to said element to move it up and down, a bearing bracket for said shaft next to said rail, a second bearing bracket forl said shaft spaced outward from thel lirst bracket, and a plate to extend under the rail and along a cross-tie of the switch, saidr brackets being attached to said plate readyk v for assembly with the shaft, and the plate being adapted to be secured to said tie.

19. In combination with a guard element` to be moved up and down alongside a rail of a switch, with one part of the element slid ing along the rail, a bracket to be placed next to the side of the rail opposite from said element, and a stud to extend from said bracket through said rail,` for the element to slide upon, and a plate to lie under the railV and be secured to one of the cross-ties of the switch, said bracket being attached tol said plate in correct position for assembly with the rail and said element.

FRANK C. ANDERSON. 

